27 episodes

This podcast is meant to educate non-technical people about the technical fundamentals of the oil and gas industry. It starts all the way back with the formation of fossil fuels and goes through the entire process that generates the fuel that we consume in our vehicles. For anyone who works in oil and gas that doesn’t have a technical background (or just the general public) that wants to learn more about how the oil and gas industry works, this podcast is for you.

From Fossil to Fuel‪™‬ Brendan MacDougall

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings

This podcast is meant to educate non-technical people about the technical fundamentals of the oil and gas industry. It starts all the way back with the formation of fossil fuels and goes through the entire process that generates the fuel that we consume in our vehicles. For anyone who works in oil and gas that doesn’t have a technical background (or just the general public) that wants to learn more about how the oil and gas industry works, this podcast is for you.

    Episode 0 - Introduction

    Episode 0 - Introduction

    • 5 min
    Season 2 - Demystifying Oil and Gas Formation

    Season 2 - Demystifying Oil and Gas Formation

    Get ready to dive into the intricate yet fascinating world of oil and gas as Brendan McDougall, an industry professional, and William Belevance, a diligent geology student, dissect this complex industry in an easy-to-understand approach. In this brand-new episode of 'From Fossil to Fuel 2.0', the duo embark on a journey to elucidate every stage of oil and gas industry.Whether youre a novice or a seasoned professional, you'll gain a fresh perspective as Brendan and William provide a comprehensive understanding of oil and gas formation: from life-transforming natural substances to the transformative process resulting in coal, light oil, and natural gas. Listen as they unravel the process of how organic matter evolves, the decomposition process of oil and gas, and the creation of hydrocarbon chains.But the exploration doesn't stop there. The hosts go a step further, explaining what happens when oil and gas forms, debunking common misconceptions, and discussing the essential elements behind the migration of oil and gas from deep within the Earth's layers to the surface. This episode promises to be full of engaging explanations and comparisons that will leave you with a better understanding of this essential industry.Finally, don't miss out on the cliffhanger for the next episode diving into rock geology, porosity, and permeability. Are you ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Join Brendan and William as they guide you through the incredible process of going 'From Fossil to Fuel'.

    • 25 min
    Season 2 - Understanding Rock Geology Fundamentals in Oil and Gas Industry

    Season 2 - Understanding Rock Geology Fundamentals in Oil and Gas Industry

    In this informative episode, Brendan McDougall and William Belevance delve into the fascinating realm of rock geology, emphasizing the key concepts of porosity and permeability critical to the oil and gas industry. They explain how fossil fuels are formed, what distinguishes a productive oil and gas repository, and why oil and gas get trapped in underground pools. Using everyday examples, the hosts illustrate these critical geological terms and their significance to oil extraction.The conversation further covers a detailed discussion on reservoir rocks like sandstone, limestone, and shale. They illuminate the intricacies of these reservoir rocks, such as the self-explanatory composition of sandstone, the unique origin of limestone from sea creature shells, and the dual nature of shale acting as a barrier in conventional reservoirs and a target in fracking applications. Gain an in-depth understanding of the journey of fossil fuels, starting from their formation under high temperature and pressure conditions to traveling upwards through permeable rocks. With their simplified narrative, Brendan and William make understanding geology terms and their implications in the oil and gas industry easy and exciting, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about getting familiar with the oil and gas industry. Enhance your knowledge about the exciting techniques like seismic reflections, outcrops, and offset wells used to locate oil and gas. Get a sneak-peek into the future of this industry, with the hosts hinting towards the upcoming unconventional reservoirs. Click 'Play' now to reveal the secrets of oil and gas extraction and appreciate the captivating science behind it.

    • 31 min
    Episode 1 - Formation of Fossil Fuels

    Episode 1 - Formation of Fossil Fuels

    In this eye-opening episode, Brennan McDougall, a professional engineer with a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry, explains in clear detail how oil and gas originates from organic matter. Brennan takes us back millions of years ago to understand the formation process of fossil fuels. He clarifies common misconceptions about fossil fuels and provides a deep insight into how organic material metamorphoses into oil and gas deep within the Earth's crust.The episode demystifies the technical side of the oil and gas industry, explaining with analogies for a layman's understanding. Brennan discusses the characteristics of fossil fuels, the concept of permeability, and the formation of oil reservoirs. He also highlights why oil is termed a non-renewable energy source and links the burning of oil and gas to the produce of greenhouse gases.You'll also understand the difference between the source rock and the reservoir, and why some oil and gas reservoirs are located kilometers beneath the earth's surface. Understand how oil and gas reservoirs aren't like pools or lakes but rather are accumulations of oil and gas trapped in the tiny spaces within rocks.Join Brennan on this fascinating journey from fossil to fuel and unravel the mysteries of the oil and gas industry. Dive headfirst into the exploration of age-old fossil fuel formation processes to oil extraction in the modern-day industry!If you enjoyed today's episode, do not forget to subscribe to the podcast for more fascinating and enlightening content, all 24 episodes are available at your convenience. Leave a comment, give a thumbs up or connect with Brennan directly at fromfossiltofuel@gmail.com or on LinkedIn.

    • 13 min
    Episode 2 - Rock Geology

    Episode 2 - Rock Geology

    Welcome to "From Fossil to Fuel," where our host, Brendan McDougall, a seasoned professional in the oil and gas industry, takes you on a deep dive into the technical aspects of petroleum production. Throughout our 24 episode series, you will journey from the geological birth of oil and gas millions of years ago, to the refinement techniques that fuel our modern world. It's time to dive deeper into this critical industry.In this episode, we talk about the foundations of oil and gas reservoirs, how they function, and what they contain. Starting with the concept of density and buoyancy, we break down why water, oil, and gas structure themselves in a certain way underground, and why this matters when looking for oils reserves. The discussion then moves to porosity and permeability, two essential aspects that determine the quantity and movement of oil and gas in a reservoir.We highlight the different kinds of rocks that make up a typical reservoir, including sandstone, limestone, and shale. These distinctive geological materials play various critical roles in forming trap and cap rocks. We then explore the advanced geological techniques, such as seismic reflection and outcrop examination, used to detect and evaluate the potential and profitability of oil reservoirs.Through "From Fossil to Fuel," you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the oil and gas industry's technical side, illuminating the often-overlooked aspects that make our modern, fueled world possible. Join Brendan McDougall on this exciting journey, expanding your horizons and feeding your curiosity about this essential resource that powers our lives.If you've found value in this episode, don't forget to subscribe to listen to the entire series or leave a feedback, thumbs up, or an email at fromfossiltofuel@gmail.com or reach out to Brendan McDougall on LinkedIn.

    • 15 min
    Episode 4 - Drilling Overview

    Episode 4 - Drilling Overview

    Join Brendan McDougall, an experienced professional engineer, in a captivating episode of 'From Fossil to Fuel'—a pioneering podcast series dedicated to decoding the oil and gas industry. In this episode, Brendan navigates through the evolution and intricacies of the essential drilling process. From the dawn of oil well drilling in 350 AD China to the adoption of advanced rotary and directional drilling techniques, witness the progression of this vital industry sector.Dive into valuable discussions which include beginner-friendly explanations of key terminologies like 'wellbore,' 'casing,' 'annulus,' and their crucial roles in maintaining the structural integrity of oil reservoirs. Learn how modern technologies like horizontal and directional drilling have revolutionized the industry by improving production efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impacts.This episode further elaborates on the vital role of drilling engineers and rig crews in controlling oil and gas wells. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the usage and significance of drilling mud and blowout preventers (BOPs) in operations, crucial instruments in mitigating risks to prevent potentially catastrophic incidents such as the infamous BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.By the end of the episode, listeners will attain a greater appreciation for the crucial role safety measures play in the success, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability of drilling operations. If this episode piques your interest, feel free to reach out via email at fromfossiltofuel@gmail.com or connect with Brendan McDougall on LinkedIn for meaningful engagements and feedback.

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

jbrenning1 ,

Informative

Great content. My wife works in oil and gas. This pod has helped me understand what she’s been talking about all these years.

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